Southern League
South & West Division
Cinderford Town 1
Almondsbury Town 0
LEON Jeanne's stunning 19th minute free-kick gave Cinderford maximum points at The Causeway on Tuesday night.
This was a feisty affair – not surprising really, considering Paul Weeks left Almondsbury to join the Foresters, bringing the likes of Steve Peters, Brad Andrews and Ben John with him. John did not play, but Andrews was on the receiving end of some very heavy tackles.
Cinderford were forced to change their team minutes before kick-off because Josh Brown failed to turn up. Weeks had still not made contact with his right-back on Wednesday morning. Striker Tom Billing had to play at centre-half alongside Greg Lewis, with Andy Lewis switched to right-back.
They got away with it, largely due to excellent displays from both Lewis boys and left-back Danny Haines.
The tackles flew in from the first whistle but Cinderford looked lively in attack. Nick McCootie was strong on the ball, flashing an early effort wide of the post, while Jeanne caused problems down the left with his trickery.
The game was stretched with chances at both ends.
Josh Klein-Davies blasted wide for the Almonds when well placed, while Alex Harris made a brilliant tip over save from an Adam Mahadi strike. Ross Stearn also shot narrowly over the bar.
Cinderford's winning goal came from a free-kick on the edge of the box. The classy Jeanne bent the ball around the wall into the bottom right corner of the net.
As the half progressed, Almondsbury got on top.
Cinderford battled back in the second half, ensuring all results were still possible.
Pitcher hit the bar for the visitors, but Cinderford had chances too – McCootie going close on several occasions.
Lewis Sommers, playing up front on his own, showed good feet to trick his way past two defenders on the byline and pull the ball back for Jeanne to shoot wide.
By the final whistle Cinderford had drawn the sting from their play-off chasing visitors.
Cinderford Town: Alex Harris, Andy Lewis, Tom Billing, Greg Lewis, Danny Haines, Peter Macklin, Brad Andrews (capt), Dale Evans, Leon Jeanne, Lewis Sommers, Nick McCootie. Sub used; Sam O'Sullivan, Nick Hancock, Max Etheridge. Not used: Matt Barnes.